Route 89 dates back to 1932. Its original path, from south to north:

• Today's Route 289, leading from Route 87 in Lebanon to Route 32 in Windham
• Overlap with Route 32 and Route 66 leading to the Route 195 junction
• Today's Route 195, from Route 66 to Route 89
• Today's Route 89, from Route 195 to Turnpike Road, Westford
• Waterfall Road and Hillside Road to Ferrence Road
• Today's Route 89 to its end at Route 190

In 1942, Route 89 was relocated in Ashford and Union to Ferrence Road, where it is located today.

On Dec. 1, 1964, Route 89's south end was moved from Lebanon to Mansfield. Former Route 89 from Route 87 to Route 32 became the new Route 289. Former Route 89 from Route 66 to its modern terminus became part of Route 195.

I'm guessing this was done to provide a more direct route to the University of Connecticut from US 6. The Hartford Courant article announcing the change reads: "State highway officials could not be contacted to determine the reason for the change Monday night." And the story was not followed up.

Though it is lightly traveled throughout, Route 89 may see more traffic from future development near the I-84 interchange in Ashford. The Windham Regional Planning Agency says "Route 89 in particular will require realignment within the next decade if traffic volumes increase as projected."

In general, I like longer, continuous routes (like the old 89) and number clustering like (87/89 in Lebanon). Therefore, I like Route 89 better the way it was.

• "Highway numbering reassigned." The Hartford Courant, Dec. 8, 1964.
• "Regional Transportation Plan for the Windham Region / 2001 Update." Windham Regional Council of Governments, August 29, 2001.

Route 89 Ends (Photos; Doug Kerr at state-ends.com)